Brendan Dooling has enjoyed quite a rush of buzz and attention after this season of The Carrie Diaries, with a tender coming-out scene that went viral on YouTube. Here, the actor shares more on the experience of playing Carrie’s close confidant Walt, and what it’s like shooing the Diaries.
Young Adult: What drew you into The Carrie Diaries?
Brendan Dooling: Well, I kind of feel like this is a question better suited for a veteran actor like Robert DeNiro or Meryl Streep- one who can choose from scripts offered him or her. Being cast in The Carrie Diaries was more of an opportune convergence. I am from NY and happy to be filming here and I love portraying a character and storyline that fans can relate to their lives.
YA: When did you first hear about it?
BD: January or February of 2012 was when I auditioned in New York.
YA: Tell me about your character. Who is Walt?
BD: Walt, like any teen, is on a journey of self-discovery. He’s a young man just finishing high school who seeks a life outside of the suburban Connecticut in which he’s grown. He desires something grander, with more excitement. He’s very trendy and into pop culture and is very loyal to and protective of his friends.
YA: How do you most relate to Walt?
BD: Well, we both know that we haven’t got life figured out. Where we differ is that Walt wants to define the more ambiguous elements of life, whereas, I don’t mind the mystery.
YA: Walt struggles a lot with his sexuality, how do you contemplate that? (Did you have any struggles in your life that helped you become this character?)
BD: Everybody, even those who “have it all”, struggle through hardship. It’s all relative. We just need to sympathize. Plus, growing up, I did some musical theater and started acting classes fairly young, so I’ve dealt with people simply placing stereotypes on me for at least 10 years. It wasn’t a debilitating struggle, obviously, and it’s made it easier to identify with Walt.
YA: In Season 1 Episode 11 Walt and Carrie, played by AnnaSophia Robb are sitting together at Interview Magazine having a heart to heart, and you come out and tell her you’re gay. It’s my favorite scene to date. You’re like “But you’re figuring out who you want to be. I feel like I’m struggling with who I want to be with.” Carrie is like “Because if being gay is who are then it must be good. Because you are good. And if anyone thinks otherwise THEY’RE wrong.” Was that a hard scene to shoot? (I practically cried and sent it to all my friends)
BD: Wasn’t hard at all! The scene was tenderly written, had a really nice vibe, and working with AnnaSophia is fun and easy-going. She’s become a friend in reality and it’s easy to confide in her in our altenate reality.
YA: What can you spill about season 2? Where does it pick up when it returns? Will we get to see Walt in any uncomfortable situations?
BD: Season 2 picks up with Carrie and Walt staying at Larissa’s loft in the city. I’m definitely happy about that! It will be fun to have a change of scenery for “the gang”. Although, that’s different too. The core group of Carrie’s friends has evolved a little bit. It’ll be interesting to see how it changes throughout season 2.
YA: What would you like people watching to take away from your character, Walt and The Carrie Diaries as a whole?
BD: I want Walt’s story to be honest. The writers are doing their part to make that happen and I have to meet them halfway. If we can do that, then the audience will really be able to find a character with which they can relate. They’ve got a great character line-up to choose from and that’s of principal importance for any production.
YA: Costumes must be so much fun to get into. What’s that process like? And does it help you get into character?
BD: That process is mostly facilitated by Eric Daman. I don’t know enough about 80s fashion to be able to spitball with Eric and really make it my own. And that’s fine by me! Jumping into an already imagined and coordinated wardrobe is better. Like when Superman puts on glasses, he’s automatically Clark Kent – looks and behavior.
YA: Do you have any other projects you’re working on? You and your cast are one of my faves to look out for.
BD: Unfortunately not. Once The Carrie Diaries goes into production, it’s very time consuming. Not much time to audition, let alone film for another project.
YA: Do you have any funny stories that happened off camera?
BD: There are always little things that make us laugh throughout the day, like when I repositioned myself on a diner bench during complete silence and made a questionable noise similar to an everyday bodily function, if you know what I mean. That was actually on camera. It made it to the blooper reel. Everyone enjoys some crude humor now and again!
YA: If you were to put yourself in any film or television show throughout time, which character in that production would you play?
BD: I would have to say Chunk in The Goonies. It’s one of the greatest supporting roles in the history of films geared toward a younger audience. He is, by far, the funniest character in the movie, which, in my personal opinion, is also one of the greatest of the 1980s.
Watch season 2 of The Carrie Diaries starting on October 25th at 8pm on The CW.